An oasis in the desert : the potential of water sources as camera trap sites in arid environments for surveying a carnivore guild

Abstract:

Discussions regarding the importance of accounting for detection probability have long been
present in ecological literature. Various studies have demonstrated the influence of survey
design on detection probabilities, and whilst the placement of camera traps along roads is a
commonly used survey design, it has shown to be biased towards certain species. In arid
environments, water sources have the potential to be efficient sites for camera trap
placement. We compared the influence of a water source camera trap survey design on the
detection probabilities of a guild of seven carnivore species, in comparison detection
probabilities from camera traps along roads, on arid, commercial farmland in southern
Namibia. Results showed detection probabilities for all species to be higher at water, with
the water source design producing shorter latencies of detections and higher naive
occupancy estimates for most species. However, for species with unique markings, the water source design produced lower proportions of images suitable for individual
identification. As detection probabilities of all species were influenced in a positive manner,
we suggest placing camera traps at water sources in arid environments to be an effective
survey design. However, for surveys requiring individual identification, placing camera traps
along roads may be more suitable.